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Hard work pays off for Mislawchuk and team heading into Olympics

Canadian star shines in Mexico at tune-up race for Tokyo Olympics

Photo by: World Triathlon Media

After a tough return to racing at the World Triathlon Cup Lisbon where he flatted, Winnipeg’s Tyler Mislawchuk showed he’s in Olympic form with an impressive win at the World Triathlon Cup Huatulco, running away from the field to take the men’s win on Sunday morning. In 2019 Mislawchuk won in Huatulco as well, then went on to win the Tokyo Test Event later that summer. That win ticks off one of the boxes in the Triathlon Canada requirements to compete in Tokyo, and has made Mislawchuk the key player in the Canadian team’s strategy heading into Tokyo. In Huatulco Matthew Sharpe pushed hard at the end of the bike to help get Mislawchuk into transition in a perfect position, allowing him to lead the way onto the run course. A similar “domestique strategy” was used in Tokyo in 2019.

Related: Mislawchuk shows he’s Tokyo-ready with big win in Huatulco

Photo: World Triathlon Media

We caught up with Mislawchuk after his race in Mexico:

Triathlon Magazine Canada: In your interview after the win, you talked about the team behind you that helped with your performance. Could you elaborate a bit more about the crew that has supported you over the last few years?

Tyler Mislawchuk: Coaches. Friends/training partners. Family. Support Staff. Sponsors. Triathlon Canada. Agents. Fans. To list specific names would keep us all here too long. The amount of people who have believed in me the last few years is truly incredible. I feel proud to represent them in the good races and (am) disappointed in the bad.

You also mentioned it’s been a long haul since the pandemic to be able to continue to train and prepare for Tokyo. Can you talk about what you’ve had to do to be able to maintain your training and focus?

Day by day. Life’s a lot easier when you have a purpose. For me everything I do in triathlon is driven with a deeper purpose that remains to be completed. Micro goals, and keeping good company, have been key for myself.

It sounds like you haven’t been home for 14 months – how difficult has that been?

For me, family, friends and my hometown are things I never take for granted. (This) Strange time in the world has forced me to adapt with very little control of rules and regulations with travel. My mom and dad will be excited for a beer and/ or coffee with me after Tokyo.

You talked about training in Hawaii for four months to prepare for the last few races and for Tokyo. Can you describe the training you did there?

We focused on strength and volume at the start as we knew racing wouldn’t be immediate. The focus pushed towards some intensity near (the) end of camp, but remains with room for a little more specific training before Tokyo now. The lads and I pushed each other to new levels.

Finally, where will you be based as you prepare for Tokyo?

Bentonville, Arkansas

Related: Who will represent Canada at the Olympics?